Conor McGregor believes Floyd Mayweather would "get his earned respect" if he were to follow through on boasts of competing in mixed martial arts.

Mayweather, 40, recently teased the idea of accepting an MMA fight in several social media posts. He also did so during the buildup to his lucrative boxing match against McGregor last August, claiming he would face the UFC champion in MMA next.

Conor McGregor says he would have respect for Floyd Mayweather Jr. if the boxer chose to fight him in a mixed martial arts fight, but the current UFC lightweight champion says he's keeping his options open in the meantime. Steve Marcus/Getty Images

McGregor (21-3), who was honored at a charity function on Wednesday in New York, says the retired boxer would deserve praise for such a move.

"If he does -- I know he's flirting with it -- I would have respect for him," McGregor told independent street journalist Adam Glyn. "I think it would get his earned respect if he were to step in."

Mayweather's posts have been widely met with skepticism. In the most recent video, he references the year 2018, saying, "What are the odds, Paddy?" Paddy Power is an Irish sportsbook who sponsored Mayweather's last fight.